The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman: An Inquiry into the Ritual, Heavenly Way, and Moderation of Pre-Qin Marriage Regulations
This article deeply interprets the twelve characters, 'The Frost's Descent and the Reversed Woman, Ice Thaws and Killing Ceases, One Coitus in Ten Days,' tracing their origins in Pre-Qin classics like the *Rites of Zhou* and the *Book of Rites*. It analyzes the underlying principles concerning temporal restrictions on marriage, Yin-Yang philosophy, agricultural governance considerations, and sexual moderation, aiming to reconstruct the core of Pre-Qin ritualistic thought.
【Appendix】
Appendix 1: Conversion of Pre-Qin Calendars
Pre-Qin calendars varied (Shang, Zhou-Jiàn Zǐ, Xia-Jiàn Yín). The Spring and Autumn Annals used the Zhou calendar (starting in the 11th month). Careful conversion (often using the modern Xia calendar standard) is necessary to align historical events with the Frost/Ice markers.
Appendix 2: Forbidden Days for Marriage Visits
Beyond the seasonal bounds, specific days within the acceptable season (like New Moon, Full Moon, solstice/equinox days, or days required for fasting before major sacrifices) were likely forbidden for visits, further supporting the necessity of the "ten-day" frequency standard.
Appendix 3: Vestiges of Ancient Collective Mating
The allowance for "eloping couples not being forbidden" in mid-spring may be a relic of much older, collective seasonal mating rites, indicating the deep antiquity of basing reproductive timing on seasonal cues.